S3 Ep53: Freddie Bennett: The Emotional Goodbye

Just over two years ago, we gathered around a kitchen table in Liverpool to talk about an idea for a new alcohol-free podcast. It would be called Over The Influence, and it had one mission: to sing about the joys of sobriety, in the hope that it would encourage people to give alcohol-free life a try. The world was changing and people were giving up alcohol for all sorts of reasons: to enjoy better physical and mental health, to gain the clarity they needed to push for that promotion that had always eluded them, to have time to take up that hobby they'd been meaning to start for ages... We knew it was an outdated notion that the only people who gave up alcohol were people who'd run in to trouble with it, and we wanted to share our positive experiences of giving up the booze for good. Well, two years later and the podcast has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times and our online community is buzzing with listeners who want to connect with each other to support each other on their alcohol-free journeys. It's been a fabulous two years, but also a couple of years of huge change for us personally - a big change being when Freddie decided to move out to New Zealand to start a wonderful new life with his young family. Initially the Bennett's were only going for a year, but now they've hit that milestone they've decided they'll be out there for longer... Which has led Freddie to make a big decision. In this episode, Freddie talks about why he's decided to leave Over The Influence and about what his plans are next. We (Sharon and Ben) completely support him and wish him all of the luck in the world moving forwards - Freddie, your plans are fabulous and we can't wait to see you make a huge success of them as we know you undoubtedly will! --- Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk --- The Premium Podcast: If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now! Released every Monday and exclusive to subscribers and OTI Community members, the Premium Pod is Sharon and Ben talking through even more topics surrounding alcohol-free life, from how to not just survive but enjoy AF holidays to alcohol free dating! Subscribe now! Released every Monday, cancel any time - just £5 per month. --- Links: Over The Influence is produced by Ben Anderson for Sound Rebel. Sound Rebel works with businesses, brands, charities & other organisations across the UK - go to soundrebel.co.uk now to find out how podcasts could help you to tell your story to the world. If you feel as if connection with likeminded people would help as you try life without alcohol, join the Over The Influence Community now - and we can't wait to meet you! For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website. --- Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice. --- Helpful Hashtags: We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone!  These are some of the hashtags we've followed: #alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti